REPORT: Celtic Set to Re-Sign Fraser Forster on Loan from Southampton

SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 17: Fraser Forster of Southampton during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Liverpool FC at St Mary's Stadium on August 17, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)

Celtic are set to re-sign their former goalkeeper Fraser Forster on loan from Southampton, according to Ross Crae of The Sunday Post. Forster left the Scottish side to join the Saints five years ago but has suffered a dramatic fall down the pecking order, finding himself behind both Alex McCarthy and Angus Gunn.

Celtic Set to Re-Sign Fraser Forster From Southampton

Fall From Grace

When signing from Celtic in 2014, the 6’7″ goalkeeper quickly established himself as a good signing for the Saints as they enjoyed their best spell in the Premier League. They were one of the up and coming sides in the division following their rapid rise through the leagues and Forster was their giant in the goal that kept things tight at the back.

However, injuries meant that McCarthy deputised in his place, and he never really got the position back. The signing of Gunn, a young and improving keeper that was coming through the ranks with England, pushed Forster further down the pecking order.

Reunited

Forster spent four years under current Celtic boss Neil Lennon with the club, achieving three league titles and two Scottish Cups in that time. Two of those seasons were on loan before permanently joining the side in a £2 million deal from Newcastle United, for whom he never made a competitive appearance.

Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl told BBC Sport: “You know that we have four goalkeepers at the moment, so we have the chance to give one or the other the chance to play somewhere else and maybe Fraser is the one, yeah.”

In addition, the boss confirmed that midfielder Mario Lemina could leave the club before the closure of the European transfer windows. According to the Southern Daily Echo’s Dan Sheldon, the Gabon international is wanted by Monaco. They have also reported that personal terms between the two parties have been agreed.

Nat has been writing about MK Dons at LWOS since August 2015, when he was 16. He became an editor at the start of the 2017/18 season and a Managing Editor three months later. Outside of writing, he enjoys watching his local teams, MK Dons and Leighton Town, as much as possible.